Drop in Academic Performance

This can happen in one of two ways: 1) the teens grades go from good to bad all at once. 2) the teens failing in school happens slowly (A's turn to B's and then fall to C's). The important thing to recognize is the change in grades is clearly below the performance level of past years. Poor grades are an indication that your teen is withdrawing at school. If your teen is withdrawing at home and school, he/she may feel hopeless and worthless which can lead to depression and suicidal tendencies.

The Academy of Pediatrics (in the journal Pediatrics, March 2005) indicates truancy and dropping grades may also signal drug use.

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